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Cahill wants high-energy Socceroos

Give them a tough time ... Tim Cahill wants the Socceroos to pile home-field pressure on Oman.

Syamsul Bahri Muhammad: Getty Images

Socceroos stalwart Tim Cahill says Australia must play a high tempo game and make Oman feel unwelcome in next week's vital World Cup qualifier.

Australia goes into Tuesday's clash at the Olympic stadium in second spot in its group, trailing leaders Japan by eight points but only ahead of Oman and Iraq on goal difference and one point ahead of Jordan.

Following the Oman match, the Socceroos' road to next year's showpiece in Brazil resumes in June when they travel to Japan before hosting Jordan and Iraq with only the top two teams in the group securing a World Cup berth.

Enjoying life with New York Red Bulls in the American MLS, 33-year-old Cahill looms as a key cog in the Socceroo wheel.

He believes Australia have in Robbie Kruse, Alex Brosque and Brett Holman, the players capable of prising open an obdurate Oman defence in Sydney next Tuesday.

Cahill hopes they will supply plenty of crosses that will allow him to lead an aerial assault.

As such he is happy to play a more advanced role up forward than he does for his club.

"I feel it's important if I lead the line, that it needs to be high-tempo, high-energy," Cahill said on Tuesday.

"I know international games can be a little bit more relaxed and slow-tempo.

"But it has to be high-tempo from us and making sure we pressurise them and make them feel unwelcome in our stadium.

"Because they will be under a lot of pressure to get a result and they will be playing very deep."

Cahill believes some of the younger Socceroos could "really find their feet in the squad" by performing well in a crucial World Cup qualifier.

"This is where you have got to shine. Shine here and the whole world sees it," Cahill said.

"I really hope that some of these lads can take their chance and help this transitional period for the Socceroos."

Cahill appears keen to adopt a mentoring role with young midfielder Tomas Rogic, who recently left Central Coast for Scottish giant Celtic.

"Seeing Rogic make the transition overseas has been really positive," Cahill said.

"Meeting him today for the first time, getting a chance to work with him, finding out more about him as a person, as a player, trying to help him develop."